Local train compartment in Mumbai catches fire

Seven commuters sustained minor to major burn injures after a compartment, next to the guard room in a suburban local train on the harbour line, caught fire around 11.15 am today. This incident happened on an Andheri-CST train near the Dockyard Road railway station.

A policeman on Dockyard Road station guards the belongings of the injured commuters (Pic - Datta Kumbhar)

According to Government Railway Police (GRP), “A fire broke out in the compartment next to the guard room and three to four passengers sustained injures and were taken to JJ hospital for treatment.”

Doctors at the emergency ward no 4 of the hospital said that seven patients were brought in with minor to severe burn injuries.

A doctor added that all those injured were men in the age group of 20-25 years. They had sustained burns all over their bodies. Some of them were brought in with 35-40 percent burn injuries.

Senior police officials, who rushed to the hospital, were busy recording the statement of the victims. However, the exact reason of the fire is not yet known.

Central Railway Public Relations Officer (PRO) AK Singh tried to downplay the incident denying any injuries. He said, “The Andheri-CST bound local train had applied a sudden emergency break due to which there was smoke and that no fire started in the compartments.” He even denied any casualty.

However, senior railway officials at Dockyard Road railway station confirmed to MiD DAY that there was indeed a fire and three fire engines were pressed into service. The fire was brought under control immediately. They also confirmed that there had been casualties.

Meanwhile, senior railway officials were rushing to the location to ascertain the exact nature of incident. Services on the harbour line were disrupted due to the incident.